Naturally, Tor.com’s rocket logo, Stubby, has always been in space—metaphorically speaking. But thanks to NASA’s Mike Hopkins, the little rocket that could actually made its way up among the stars.
Stubby in space!!!!
Thank you,@Astro_illini for taking a little piece of our spirit to the stars. Stubby couldn’t be more proud.pic.twitter.com/6fzsnPBAt0
— Tor.com (Now at @Reactormag) (@tordotcom) January 25, 2021
These patches were created for the site’s 10th anniversary party in 2018. They’re scattered far and wide, but it’s safe to say most of them are on messenger bags or denim jackets. We never expected them to find their way onto an actual spaceship.
Hopkins, who shared this photo with us, was selected as an astronaut in 2009. Now, he’s commander on the Crew-1 SpaceX Crew Dragon, which launched in November. As his NASA bio says, “It is the first post-certification mission of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft—the second crewed flight for that vehicle—and his second long duration mission aboard the International Space Station. He is also serving as Flight Engineer on the International Space Station for Expedition 64.”
But how did he get his hands on Stubby? The connection is illustrator Gregory Manchess, who designed our rocket and has done some design work for NASA. We can only imagine the adventure this single patch has taken. It’s a long way from home, and maybe its adventures are only just beginning.
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